The nickname "Flo-Jo" has come to denote blazing speed, grace, flair and awesome talent. "Flo-Jo" is, of course, Florence Griffith Joyner, who was to the 1988 Olympic games what Wilma Rudolph was to the 1960 Rome Games. Even before the 1988 Olympics, Flo-Jo was a world record holder.
Seoul merely confirmed her greatness. Her records set during those wild days of 1988 are standards that probably will prevail well into the 21st century. She still holds the women's world record of 10.49 for 100 meters and 21.34 for 200 meters and no one has come close to threatening them. Her 10.49 at the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis was one of the most eye-popping performances in track and field history. An outstanding sprinter before 1988, she showed her early promise at Jordan High School, where she anchored the relay team that posted the nation's fastest time of the year. After transferring from Cal State Northridge to UCLA, she won the NCAA 200m championship in 1982 and the 400m title in 1983. She was a silver medalist in the 200m at the 1984 Olympics and also medaled at the 1987 World Outdoor Championships, taking second in the 200 and running on the winning 4x100m relay team. At Seoul in 1988, she won three gold medals (100, 200, 4x100) and one silver (4x400), setting a world record in the 200. It was Flo-Jo's golden moment and it will be tough to repeat. She won the Sullivan Trophy in 1988.
Flo-Jo married Al Joyner, 1984 Olympic triple jump champion, in 1987.